Southern Districts have made a statement to the rest of the Shute Shield competition after handing Northern Suburbs their first defeat of the season on Saturday.
The Rebels ran out 23-10 winners at Forshaw Rugby Park to keep their own hopes of playing finals football alive.
In front of a strong crowd on the club’s Ladies Day, Souths fell behind when Norths fullback Samuel Giltrap scored the opening try.
Souths’ own No.15 Christian Kagiassis responded with a penalty goal before Rebels winger Rowland Keni-Kotobalavu crossed for a try in the corner.
Souths’ other winger Luke Smart gave the hosts’ a 13-10 lead with a try of his own.
Rebels forward Marcus Carbone then converted a pushover, with Kagiassis’ conversion helping the Rebels out to a 20-10 advantage.
A Kagiassis penalty goal sealed the result.
The Rebels remain in eighth place on the table on 23 points. They are six points behind fifth-placed Warringah. Norths missed the chance to climb into first with leaders Sydney University beaten 32-29 by Eastwood.
Souths have this weekend off before returning to action in round 10 on June 16 when they travel to Coogee Oval to face struggling Randwick.
It was a disappointing day for the lower grades with Souths falling in seconds, thirds and fourths.
Norths won second grade 40-10, third grade 28-24 and fourth grade 38-7.
Souths got revenge in the Colts 1 competition, with the Rebels running out 43-0 winners at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.
